Brasilia, July 15, 2004 - 09:20 AM
Injections used for dissolving localized fat

Apart from products for weight loss, surgery and other esthetic interventions call the public’s attention as to physical beauty. Among the most recent controversies is the one raised by phosphatidilcoline which has no licensing with Anvisa, one of the reasons for its forbidden sale. The product was used in Brazil to dissolve localized fat, a procedure that became known as the “shot diet”.

At the beginning of last year, Anvisa forbade the manufacture, import, distribution, commercialization and use for esthetic purposes of any injected product, be it commercial or pharmaceutically manipulated, that contains phosphatidilcoline. Apart from the lack of licensing in the country, the banning was justified by the lack of information about the safety of the product in the dissolution of localized fat. What happens is that this is, in fact, a cardiologic medicament indicated and licensed outside Brazil for the treatment of fatty embolism. For the product to come back into market the pharmaceutical industry must prove, in its licensing requirement, the safety in its use for the combat against localized fat.

Other products and equipments for health have called the attention of Anvisa. “In this year Anvisa will extend the monitoring of drug publicity to other products under the policy of sanitary vigilance”, points out Maria José Delgado Fagundes,Manager for Monitoring and Control of Publicity Advertising, Promotion and Information on Products Subject to Sanitary Vigilance of Anvisa,

To protect consumers the Agency published, for example, Resolution - RDC nº 308, of 14th November, 2002, regulating the use of artificial tanning chambers. With this there was the establishment of norms as the requirement of a medical exam before the procedure. Anvisa is also alert as to the use of equipment for passive gymnastics as the ones that promise a defined abdomen without even sweating one’s t-shirt. During a control performed in 2001, it was evident that only five brands had any licensing.

The manager reminds that even when done by serious professionals, esthetic interventions involve risks that cannot be ignored. “Healthier habits, as the practicing of physical activities and a balanced diet are still the best way to keep in shape”, states Maria José.

The information is from Agência Saúde
Assessoria de Imprensa (Health Agency Press Secretary) Anvisa
E-mail: imprensa@anvisa.gov.br
Telephones: 55 (61) 448-1022/448-1299
Fax.: 55 (61) 448-1252